Machine for use in making boxes



Feb, 5, m4,

O. C. THOMPSON MACHINE FOR USE IN MAKING BOXES Filed Dec. 16. 1.920

- 5 Sheets Sheet 1 w v M M 11 n H m J m g Q M wENQ 0 s Sheets-Sheet 2 o. c. THOMPSON MAC HINE FOR USE IN MAKING BOXES Filed Dec. 16. 1920 INVENTOR @6106 G 2P 7 n ATTQRNEY Feb. '5 1924.

O. C. THOMPSON MACHINE FOR USE IN MAKING soxss s-Sheet 5 Filed Dec ATTORNEY n 4 7 a .R M .M W V%O 8 E L w s v A 1 a ma. m a 5 A Go N2 P w m O WWW .R cmm awn I H C A M Feb. y

O. C. THOMPSON MACHINE FOR USE IN MAKING BOXES Filed Dec.

, 1920 5" Sheets-Sheet 6 v INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Feb. areas.

pairs srarss eararrr orator...

V meant OSCEOLA C. THOMPSON, OF ROCKAWAY, JERSEY, ASSIGNGR TO WEREBOUNDS PATENTS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

MACHINE FORUSE IN MAKING BOXES.

Application filed December 16, 1920. Serial No. 431,133.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCEOLA C. THOMP- soN, a citizen of the United States and a resident 'of Rockaway, county of Morris and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Use in Making Boxes, of which the follow ing is a specification.

This invention relates'to machines for use in making boxes, crates, packages and the like, and particularly to machines for use in making wire-bound boxes, crates, packages and parts thereof. r

Among other objetts the invention is intended to provide .certain improvements contributing to efficiency of operation and practicability of construction of suchmachines.

The invention will be clearly understood by reference to one illustrative embodiment thereof shown for illustration in the accompanying drawings, fand in which:.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the illustrative machine. v

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of tho delivery'encl of the machine showing the work-feeding mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevation of the machine seen from A-A in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of one of the work-conveying chains showing materials for a crate positioned thereon.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same.

F ig; 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the stapling and staple wire feed mechanisms.

Fig. 7 is a similar view, showing the staple wire feed pawl thrown out of engagement with the ratchetteeth.

Fig. 8 is'an end: elevation of the staple wire feed mechanism seen from the right in Fig. 9 is an enlarged side elevation of the receiving ,endof the machine partly in section for clearness of illustration, and showing the braking mechanism contracted. I

' Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the braking mechanism expanded.

Fig. 11 is a sectional end view of thesame taken on the line -B-B of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the same partly broken away for clearness of illustration.

v Fig. 13 is a sectional view takenon the line (1-0 of Fig. 9. v

The illustrative machine which is adapted to receive and position a plurality of sections of cleats and side material for a box blank or blanks in'cooperative foldable re lationship, and to connect said arts with binding wire, preferably by driving staples over the wire through the side material and into or through the cleats, comprises, generally, stapling mechanism for applying binding wire 'to box materials progressively subjected to the action thereof; automatic means to control the operation of the staplers; workforwarding means for positioning and presenting the box materials to the stapling mechanism; work-feeding means for intermittently advancing the work-forwarding means relatively to the stapling mechanism in steps of controlled length; and means for braking the work-forwarding means at the termination of each feed step.

The mechanisms. above referred to are supported by the side frame members 1 suitably connected by cross frame members 2. The work-forwarding means comprises a 'pair of endless link chains 3 trained over idler sprocket wheels 4 carried by shaft 3 at the delivery end of the machine, and over sprocket wheels 6 keyed to shaft 7 at the receiving end of the machine. The chainsv 3 and the sprocket wheels over which they pass are relatively adjustable to accommodate materials for different sized boxes. The chains 3 run on suitable guides 8 supported by the side frames 1 and are appropriately disclosed in the patent to Thompson No.

1,258,625, issued March 5th, 1918, are adapted at each operation ,to form a staple from staple wire 16 fed thereto from suit.- able supply reels 17 by coac-ting feed rolls 18 and 19 and drive the same over the binding wire 20 into the work.

The staplers 15 which correspond in num her to the number of binding wires to be secured to the box materials are supported by the stationary cross-head 21 and are operated by the vertically reciprocating cross-head 22 which is reciprocated through a pitman 23 from an eccentric 24, carried by the main shaft 25; there being similar operating mechanisms at either side of the machine. The staplers are designed to drive a staple between feed steps of the work and while the work is at rest, the extent of each feed movement of the work determining the distance between staples.

Feed rollers 18 and 19 for advancing the staple wire 16 to the staplers 15 are operated by a ratchet and pawl mechanism 27 through pitman 28 and eccentric 29 carried by the main shaft 25. A suitable number of staple wire feed rollers may be provided depend ing upon thenumber of wires to be stapled to the box materials, the rollers 18i being carried by brackets secured to the staplers and the rollers 19 being keyed to a shaft 26 extending across the machine.

The binding wires 20 which are carried by suitable supply reels 30 are trained over rollers 31; pass between rollers 32 and 33 and un'der rollers 34.- at the feet of the stapler bodies, and are drawn along by reason of their attachment to the work at preceding points.

The work-forwarding means is advanced intermittently by a reciprocating pawl 35 carried at the end of arm 86 connected to one end ofa bell crank lever 37 which is mounted on the shaft 5 and the other end of which is connected to an eccentric 38 on the main shaft throughlink 39. Feed pawl 35,

which is reciprocated constantly. engages successively a serles of notches 410 formed in a rack secured to the outer flange 14 of the chain 3. .Preferably each chain 3 is provided with notches 40 and a reciprocating pawl 35 is provided at either side of the machine.

For'controlling the extent of the feed steps of the work-forwarding means to locate staples where desired in the work. the

{notches 40, are formed variable distances apart corresponding to the desired distance between staples in the work. The pawl 35 WlllCll' reclprocates constantly, engages each notch 40 in succession, advancing it to the stapling point. thus, a staple is driven opposite each notch 40 and the distance between stapling points corresponds relatively to the distance between notches 40.

As shown in Figures 4 and the machine is operating upon materials for a crate blank with the slatted side material spaced apart the desired distance. In the manufacture of such crate blanks it is desirable to drive staples in each slat of the slatted side material at certain distances from the edges thereof. The conveyer chains 3, therefore, are provided with notches 40 disposed opposite to the desired location of each staple.

In the manufacture, of wire-bound boxes or crates it is the usual practlce to leave free wire ends at each end of the box or crate blank of suflicient length to enable such ends to be intertwisted or otherwise secured together to close the box. The materials for each blank, therefore, are spaced apart a suitable distance on the work-forwarding chains 3 to provide the desired free wire ends. It is desirable that no staples be driven into these spaces or into spaces between the slatted side materials of a crate. Provision is. therefore, made for throwing the staple wire feed pawl out. of engagement with the ratchet feed wheel during the times that such spaces are passing beneath the staplers. As shown in Figs. (3. 7, and S, the ratchet and pawl feeding mechanism 27 for operating the feed rollers 18 and 19 comprises a ratchet 2T keyed to the shaft 26 upon which the feed rollers 19 are mounted and a feed pawl 2T carried by a plate 27 pivotally hung from shaft 26 and reciprocated through the pitman 28. The pawl 27 is normally held in contact with the teeth of ratchet 27 through the action of a spring 27. For disengaging pawl 27" from the teeth of ratchet 27 to throw out the staple wire feed and prevent. the driving of staples into spaces between box materials. a cam 27' is pivotally mounted on the shaft 26 which is adapted, when swung downward as shown in Fig. 7. to engage a roller 27 carried by the pawl 27*, and force the pawl out of engagement with the teeth of ratchet 27. The movement of cam 27 is caused and controlled by a series of cam plat-es 27 secured at. proper intervals to the chains 3, which plates are adapted to engage and lift one end of a lever 27 pivoted at 27' to the frame of the machine. and having a, connection at its other end with the cam27 through a link 27 The lower end of lever 27' is held in the path of movement of the plates 27* by means of a spring 27. As shown in Fig. 7 the lower end of lever 27" rides up on a plate 27 and causes cam 27 to engage roller 27 and disengage the pawl 27 from the teeth of ratchet 27. The plates 27 may be so constructed, arranged and positioned that no staples are formed or driven while spaces between blanks or between slats of a crate blank are passing the stapling plane.

R ferring to Figs. 1. -9', 10. 11 and 13. a braking mechanism is provided for looking the work-forwarding means at the termination of each feed step. As shown. said mechanism is designed to operate at the re- -ceiving or front end of the machine, thus,

when thrown into operation, exerting a drag upon the'cha-ins 3, preventing any overthrow of the chains at the stapling point and eliminating any tendency of said chains 7 Said braking mechanism comprises, within a circular flange 41 on the sprocket wheel 6, a divided brake shell 42 having a brake lining 43, the sections of which are pivoted together at 44, and the whole being supported by a bracket 45 carried by a supporting member 46 bolted to the frame 1.

One end of the divided brake shell 42 is secured to the bracket 45, and the other end is connected by a pin 47 to the upper end of a fulcrumed lever 48 'pivoted to the bracket 45 at 49, so that when the lower end of lever 48 is reciprocated to the left as shown in Fig. 10 the brake shell will be expanded and lock the sprocket wheel 6 against further rotation.

For reciprocating the lever 48 to expand the brake shell at the termination of a feed step of the work, the lower end of lever 48 is connected by a pin and slot connection to athreaded sleeve 50 which encases and holds a screw-rod 51 pivotally connected to a lever 52 at 53. The lower end of lever 52 is pivotally secured to the frame 1, and the upper end is connected through a rod 54 with the reciprocating feed lever 37 (see Fig. 1-) so that upon a stroke of said lever 37 it moves the rod 54 with it, thereby, causing the lever 48 to pivot about the point 49 and expand 3 the brake shell. A spring 57 may be provided to assist in releasing the brake.

It is desirable that thebraking mechanism be thrown into operation at the termination of a feed step of the work and 'not before. A turnbuckle 56 is therefore, provided to adjust the relationship of the parts. It has also been found desirable in some in stances to make provision for lost motion between the feed lever 37 and the lever 52 so that the feed lever 37 will not affect the lever 52 and the braking'mechanisin until near the termination of its feed stroke. To provide for this lost motion the rod 54, as shown at. in Fig. 1, is made in two parts having a slida-ble connection which may be controlled by the turnbuckle 56. This connection also provides a convenient means for disconnecting the'braking mechanism.

-It will be noted that the braking mechanism is attached to one of the sprocket -wheels 6 at the receiving end of the machine, that is. at' the end of the machine from which the worlctorwardnig chains move toward the staplersl Thisis particularly advantageous because when the brake is operatcd'it acts as a drag on the worktorwarding chains andpin effect, exerts a pull against further forward movement,

thus preventing any tendency of the workforwarding chains to buckle in front of the stapling mechanism and to overthrow at the stapling point.

In machines of the class described provision is usually made for adjusting shafts 5 and 7 from and toward each other to tighten or loosen the conveyer chains. In the present machine shaft 7 is journaled in bearings 58 at either side of the machine which hearings are slidable on frame 1 between uprights 59 and 60. Bearings 58 are moved by means of hand lever 61 and threaded shaft 62 which passes through threaded holes in bearings 58. In order to adjust the brake mechanism to accommodate movement of shaft 7 threaded sleeve--50 is caused to revolve about screw-rod 51 when lever 61 is turned, through the action of intermeshing gears 63 and 64 carried respectively by shaft 62 and sleeve 50. When the chains are lengthened or shortened by the insertion or withdrawal of chain links the braking mechanism may be correspondingly adjusted by forming the screw-rod 51 in sections which may be inserted or removed.

Thus it will be seen that the braking meclianism can be adjusted to accommodate the adjustment given the conveyer chains.

It will be noted that the work-forwarding chains may be of sufiicient length to accommodate materials for several box or crate blanks, and that notches 40 are provided to locate the position of every staple in the cycle of operation of the work-forwarding chains, and that the cycle of operation of the work-forwarding chains may be rcpeated in' machine.

Obviously, the invention IS not limited to the particular embodiment thereof shown definitely without stopping or adjust-ingthe and described forillustration herein. but

may be variously modified in details of con- I struction and arrangement without departing from the invention. and may be em bodied in various combinations and subcombinations.

Having described the invention what is claimed is: v

1. A machine for use in making boxes comprising. in combination. endless worktorwardingmeans having devices for positioning a plurality of foldably related box sections: binding'wire-applying mechanism to toldably connect said sections with wire; and means to feed the endless work-forwarding means intermittently comprising a motion-imparting device adapted to engage the work-forwarding means.

2. A machine for use-in making wirebound boxes comprising. in combination, endless work-forwarding means'having desuccessively a series of notches formed in vices torpositioning a plurality of foldably related box sections; binding-wireapplying mechanism including fastener-setting mechanism to fasten binding wireto the foldably related box sections; and'means to feed the endless work-forwarding means in steps of varied length comprising a motionimparting device adapted to engage successively a series of variably spaced notches formed in the Work-forwarding means.

- ing means, the series of notches being in,

3. A machine for use in making Wirehound boxes comprising, in combination, endless work-forwarding means having devices for positioning a plurality of foldably related box sections; binding-\vire-applying mechanism including fastener-setting mechanism to fasten binding wire to the foldably related box sections; and means to feed the endless work-forwarding means in steps of varied length through a plurality of cycles Without stopping the machine comprising a motion-imparting device adapted to engage successively a series of variably spaced notches formed in the work-forwarding means and advance each notch in turn to the same point relative to the fastener-setting mechanism.

4. A machine for use in making Wirebound boxes comprising, in combination, endless work-forwarding means; bindingwire-applying mechanism; and means to feed the work-forwarding means in steps of varied length comprising a pair of reciproeating pawls one for each side of the machine operating in unison to propulsively' engage a series of variably spaced notches formed on either side .of the work-forward alinement one with another and extending along the entire length of said endless workforwarding means whereby said endless feed the work-forwarding means in steps of varied length comprising a motion imparting device adapted to engage a series of variably spaced notches formed in the \vork-. for\varding means, the series of notches extending along the entire length of said endless work-forwarding means whereby said endless work-forwarding means may be driven through a plurality of uniform cycles of operation without interrupting the operation of the machine.

6. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes comprising, in combination, endless work-forwarding means; bindingwire-applying mechanism; and means to feed the work-forwarding means in steps of varied length comprising a series of notches formed variable distances apart in said work-forwarding means; and a motion-imparting deviceadapted to engage each of said notches in turn and advance it a distance equal to the distance between the engaged notch and its predecessor.

7. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes comprising, in combination, endless work-conveying means adapted to receive and position materials for a plurality of boxes; hinding-wire-applying mechanism; and conveyer-feeding means adapted to cause a plurality of successive feed movements of variable lengths, comprising a seformed in said work-conveying means, one.

for each step in the cycle of said work-conveying means; and a motion-imparting device adapted to engage said notches successively.

9. A machine'foruse in making wirebound boxes comprising, in combination, endless work-conveying 'means; bindingwire applying mechanism; and conveyorfeeding means adapted to cause a plurality of successive feed movements of variable lengths, comprising a series of notches formed in said work-conveying means va riable distances apart corresponding relatively to the desired length of feed steps; and a motion-imparting device adapted to engage said notches successively.

10. A machine for use in making wire bound boxes comprising, in combination, binding-wire-applying mechanism; endless Work-forwarding means passing over sprocket wheels at the front and rear ends of the machine respectively; means to move said endless work-forwarding means intermittently; and an automatic brake operating on a front sprocket wheel.

11. A machine for use in. making wirebound boxes comprising, in combination, binding-wire-applying mechanism; endless \vorkforwarding means passing I over sprocket yvheels at the front and rear ends of the machine respectively; means to move said endless work-forwarding means intermittently; and an automatic brake operating on a front sprocket wheel and actuated by ing end of the machine thereby preventing any tendency of the work-forwarding means to overthrow at the point .of operation of the binding-Wire a plying mechanism.

13. A machine or'use in making wirebound boxes comprising, in combination, binding-wire-applying mechanism; endless work-forwarding means; means intermittently to advance said work-forwarding means beneath the binding-wire-applying mechanism; and an automatic brake at the receiving end of the machine operating at the termination of each feed step to arrest the work-forwarding means.

14. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes comprising, in combination, bindin -Wire-applying mechanism; endless workorwarding means; means intermittently to advance said Work-forwarding means beneath the binding-wire-applying mechanism; and a brake operative at the receiving end of the machine and actuated by said advancing means.

15. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes. comprising, in combination, binding-wire-applying mechanism; endless work-forwarding means; means intermittently to advance said work-forwarding means beneath the binding-wire-applying mechanism; and an automatic brake operating at the termination of each feed step to cause a drag on the workforwarding means, thereby preventing the same from buckling in front of the binding-wire-applying mechanism.

16. A machine for use in making wire-,

bound boxes comprising, in combination, the

staplers 15; the work-forwarding chains 3 having notches 40; and the reciprocating pawl adapted to engage the notches 4:0 as and for the purpose described.

17. A machine for use in making wirebounci boxes comprising, in combination, the staplers 15; the work-forwarding chains 3 having notches the reciprocating pawl 35 adapted to engage the notches 40 and an automatic brake operative at the receiving end of the machine.

18. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes comprising. in combination, the staplers 15; the work-torwawling chains 3 having notches 40; the reciprocating pawl 35 adapted to engage the notches 40; the

sprocket Wheels 4 and 6; and an automatic work-holder relative to the selected fastenerreceiving points in the work, said feeding means operating without interruption to feed the endless Work-holder through a plurality of uniform cycles.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my nameto this specification.

OSOEOLA o. THOMPSON. 

